I had pre-eclampsia and was due November 20th, I ended up in the hospital October 12th and was induced October 16th (2 rounds of cervidil and the balloon), after two days of contractions I was finally 2-3 cms and taken to the deliver suite around 11pm. I had my water broken and it didn't hurt at all! I progressed to 4cms on my own while waiting for the strep antibiotics to kick in because I was never tested. After that I was put on pitocin and got an epidural. It was around 4 am at this point, from there I slept on and off and woke up around 8am with horrible contractions. Everyone kept telling me to press my epidural button more and it would help but these were the real deal. I asked my nurse if I could be checked because no one checked me since 4cms. My nurse checked because no doctors were available. I was at 9cms. I asked how long it would take to get to 10 and my nurse told me it could take up to an hour. She then went on her morning break and a new nurse came in. I asked her what I should do if I feel like pushing and she said she would check me again, well she checked and felt my little boy's head! She called for a doctor but in 3 pushes it was all over. The doctor arrived 10 minutes later. I don't think my husband expected to be down there holding my leg seeing it all happen but there was only the 3 of us in the room!

I thought I would share because I was terrified of giving birth but I had a great experience, even with pre-eclampsia.

My little boy had a few respiratory issues and was in the NICU for 13 days, we were lucky though, he weighed 5lbs 9oz! Life at home has been really fun, he is now almost 3 months old and a complete joy.